Top 10 oldest goalscorers in Premier League history

These players proved that in sport, age is just a number.

Age is just a bar and some players have proved it in their careers. Not only did they have the physicality to compete in one of the toughest leagues in the world, the Premier League, but also to score in it. In today’s era, where players earn enough money from a very young age, it makes it difficult for them to strive with the same motivation in the latter stages of their careers.

The stories of these players show why the English league is one of its kind and is regarded as the best in the world. The players in this list not only include strikers and midfielders, but also defenders and infact, a goalkeeper as well.

Here are the top 10 oldest goalscorers in Premier League history:

10. Peter Schmeichel (37 years 11 months)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YRNJV5RL5A

Known for his phenomenal saves, the Danish goalkeeper also has a few goals to his name. He was the first goalkeeper to ever score a goal in the Premier League, since its inception in the year 1992. On 20th October 2001, he was 37 years and 11 months young, when he scored this goal for Aston Villa.

They were trailing Everton 3-1. He took full advantage of being unmarked during a corner taken by Steve Staunton and smashed the volley into the net, making him one of the oldest goalscorers in the Premier League.

9. Gary Speed (37 years 11 months 17 days)

https://youtu.be/Khxw5dlJVmc?t=11

The late Gary Speed scored his last Premier League goal on 25th August 2007. His age was 37 years 11 months and 17 days. He headed the ball into the net from a cross from El-Hadji Diouf. Bolton won that game convincingly by defeating Reading 3-0.

The midfielder stayed at Bolton for two years and later on became the manager of the Wales national team. He committed suicide in 2010, which left football fans around the world in shock. He held the record for scoring in every Premier League season from 1992-2007.

8. Mick Harford (38 years)

The English forward scored his last Premier League goal at the age of 38 years one month and 16 days. On 25th March 1997, Wimbledon were playing West Ham United, when Mick Harford’s header gave Wimbledon their crucial goal. He was the only player back then to have scored a goal at the age of 38 in the Premier League, making him one of the oldest goalscorers in the Premier League.

The forward did not have a great run at the club, scoring only nine goals in four seasons. Although, he did leave one final mark at the end of the 1996/97 campaign, after which he announced retirement.

7. Tugay Kerimoglu (38 years 3 months 6 days)

The Turkish international was considered to be a fan-favorite for scoring most of his goals from outside the box. His last goal which came against Portsmouth on 30th November 2008, was of a similar fashion. He smashed the ball from 20 yards, giving goalkeeper David James absolutely no chance.

Eventually, Blackburn ended on the losing side, as Portsmouth defeated them 3-2. He was 38 years three months and six days old back then. Tugay became the oldest foreign player to score in the Premier League. He announced his retirement at the end of that season.

6. Mark Hughes (38 years 4 months 26 days)

Mark Hughes is popularly known for having managed Wales, Stoke City and Southampton. He also had an illustrious career as a striker at Manchester United and Chelsea. But, after leaving Chelsea in 1998, his career took a dip. This was majorly because of the change in his position from forward to central midfield.

The Welshman scored his last goal against Leicester City, who were fighting to stay in the Premier League on 30th March 2002. Hughes was 38 years four months and 26 days old when he headed the ball into the net from a free-kick, equalizing the score to 1-1. However, Leicester City ended up winning the game 2-1.

5. Graham Alexander (38 years 6 months)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwMcWz7yLTQ

The Scotsman holds the joint-longest career record which spanned from 1988-2012. In all these years, he played in the Premier League for only one season, where he scored seven goals. Graham Alexander was known to be an excellent penalty-taker. He scored an incredible 77 goals from penalties (a conversion rate of over 90%).

His final goal in the Premier League came against Hull City on 10th April 2010. Unsurprisingly, that too was a penalty (he was 38 years and six months old). Burnley ended up defeating Hull City 4-1, thanks to the two penalties by the right-back. Burnley were unfortunately relegated in that season.

4. Stuart Pearce (38 years 7 months)

Stuart Pearce was popularly known as the "Pyscho." He scored his last Premier League goal at the age of 38 years and seven months. The left-back netted against Southampton on 25th November 2000, to give his side a 2-1 lead at half-time. He had some of his best career moments at West Ham United.

Infact, he was also about to receive a national call-up for Euro 2000. An unfortunate injury (broken leg) made him unavailable for selection. In the following season, he went on to play for Manchester City, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League. He ended his career with 99 goals.

3. Ryan Giggs (39 years 3 months)

https://youtu.be/qaunTVtoGxc?t=1548

One of the most decorated players to have served this beautiful game, Ryan Giggs was an inspiration to all. He holds the record for scoring a goal in every Premier League season from 1992-2013. His last goal came against Queen Parks Rangers on 23rd February 2013, when he scored in the 80th minute to extend Manchester United’s lead at the top of the table. He thus became one of the oldest goalscorers in the Premier League

He was unstoppable even at the age of 39 years and three months. It was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season as a manager and also the last season in which United lifted the Premier League title.

2. Dean Windass (39 years 7 months 21 days)

The Englishman returned to Hull in the 2007-08 season after leaving it in the year 1995. His winning goal against Bristol City in the Championship final helped Hull City attain promotion to the prestigious Premier League for the first time in the club’s 104-year history.

His last goal in the Premier League came against Portsmouth on November 22nd 2008 at the age of 39 years seven months and 21 days. A controversial goal, which was regarded as an own-goal earlier, was later given as Windass’ goal. His goal helped Hull snatch a draw and the game ended 2-2.

1- Teddy Sheringham (40 years 8 months 24 days)

https://youtu.be/ITCnhnLhkYk?t=462

Teddy Sheringham, the former Manchester United striker, is he only player to have scored a Premier League goal after crossing the age of 40 (40 years eight months and 24 days). The Englishman is known as one of the most prolific strikers of the Premier League era.

He scored his final goal in the league on Boxing Day 2006 against Portsmouth, playing for West Ham. Only a few greats of the game can match his record of 147 Premier League goals.

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